The Top 10  SA Projects releases  of 2017

South African Music Scene really had an amazing year for 2017, we had great releases in all genres of music from Hip Hop, Gqom, Afro Pop, House and more.  South African Music is forever lit and we thank our artists for giving us great music which will forever be in our playlists.

In no particular order :

1. Da Les : High Level

Da Les's secret to success is consistency. Les has not missed any year since 2006. On his fourth  album, Les makes music that can turn a party up. Fav  songs include Train Rides, Popular Demand, Stay, Something Else, Water Whipping, and Taking No More, which is pretty much half of the album. He has great features, too, as usual, in the form of Khuli Chana, Tay Grin, Gemini Major, Yanga Chief, Tshego, G Baby Da Silva, and Maggz.


2. AKA & Anatii : BCWYWF




AKA and ANATII released their joint album ‘Be careful What You Wish For’ sometime this year, and this was a game changer for the Hip-Hop game. The album brings together AKA’s  lyrical skills and ANATII’s elements of production and melody. The album has amazing songs including ; 10 Fingers, Holy Mountain, Don’t Forget To Pray and The Saga. The album is  solid will literally no features , so unapologetic and very skillful.


3. Cassper : Thuto

 The man other than Abut Fill up opened up on the first half of his third album on songs like Confused, I Wasn't Ready For You, Destiny  and Superman, that show his soft side. He muses about his success, failed relationships, and his father, among other things. And of course, celebrates his success by flaunting it to you. Bentley Coupe, Nyuku, Top Shayela, see Nyovest reminding you of his success,  with great features (Black Thought, Tshego, Nadia Nakai). You can't help but fall in love with Thuto.








4. Shekhina : Suited

Shekhinah delivered her debut album ‘Rose Gold’ and it is easily a masterpiece. Shekhinah made her mark from recent and successful collaborations; Back To The Beach (with Sketchy Bongo and Kyle Deustch), Let You Know (with Sketchy Bongo), On It (with DJ Sliqe) and Your Eyes (with Black Coffee) to mention a few. Since then, her fans have been yearning for more and all that comes to this debut project.  Shekhinah’s effortlessly gorgeous voice unwinds stories about modern life and love gained and lost. Shifting naturally between pop and R&B,Rose Gold is definitely an album that has put her in the spotlight.




5. Prince Kaybee : I am Music

Prince Kaybee only wants to make us dance.  The album is packed with 13 tracks setting the note high for the local House Music scene. Prince Kaybee is best for his production .  The tone of the album is set between mellow and groovy, and this whole album carries on Prince Kaybee’s signature of vocals and different elements and ofcourse his guitar.
This is a beautiful presentation by Prince Kaybee; an album packed with hits, an album for everyone and all sort of moods.


6. Emtee - Manando

The album is packed with 20-tracks which include leading singles; Ghetto Hero, Corner Stone and Me & You. The album features ,Tiwa Savage ,Saudi, Sjava and Njabulo.
On this project, Emtee carries on his signature style of rap while dropping in some soulful hooks. The album fuses hip-hop elements mixed with trap. Compared to his first offering ‘Avery,’ this project is more solid,  clearly proves that Emtee has found his voice and sound.
The producers who worked on the album include; Ruff, Lunatik Beatz, Tweezy, Christa, BizBoy, Co Kayn, Lisa and Ronepidemic.



7. Distruction Boyz — Gqom Is The Future

Gqom is the future indeed,  the breakout duo distruction boyz released their debut album which  is packed with 13-tracks including their lead single Shut up and Groove and Omunye which ended up closing the year of 2017. They included  DJTira, Rude Boyz, Tipcee, Benny Maverick and more as part of the album. The Album went Gold status too , Congrats to them.



8. Rouge - The Era Sessions
 

 

Ofcourse she had to snub the Best Female Rapper in the South African Hip Hop Awards, Congrats to her. The New Era Sessions, which is a concept album, is broken down into  sections. On the first section, she raps over golden era-inspired production, and sounds at home. On the second section, she rides trap production with her usual ferocity.  The New Era Sessions is a masterpiece. She has clearly made a statement with this album and it does set a mood. Radio play for this album is well deserving.  I did not get bored while listening to it and did not skip a song, she features great artists such as Kly, Sasha , Moozile and Bigstar.
 
 
9. A-Reece : From Me To You and Only You

Reece's independently released sophomore album sees him proving that in a few years' time he will be a contestant for GOAT status. The rapper has been more consistent before he even blew up last year. FMTYAOY is another entry  with well-crafted songs and potent raps. Him and his producer Mash Beatz have great chemistry and  shine on song like On My Own,About The Dough ,Calabasas, It's an album that works both for private listening and can turn a party up. The album features  Zoocci Coke Dope, Flame, Enkei, Ecco, Rowlene and Ayanda Jiya.

10.  Lady Zamar : King Zamar

Lady Zamar shook the industry with impressive vocals on Prince Kyabee's single Charlotte, her position in the house game rose a bar or two higher. Her debut single ‘Love Is Blind’ under Universal shortly after.. The album is refreshing for House music. My Baby, the second single on the album is one of the most played songs on radio in 2017, an instant party starter and a frequent play at weddings.   King Zamar the album is so good and dominative that some veteran female house musicians like Bucie have struggled to make a come back. Lady Zamar is surely here to stay.